"Each coach was among the top 15 in fan votes in his division to qualify for the model, which considers, among other criteria: wins, team penalties, on-field sportsmanship, academic achievement by the student-athletes, and commitment to charitable endeavors," according to the statement.

"Each of the 25 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year finalists is an example of what it means to be a true leader both on and off the field," said Archie Manning, Chairman of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. Manning spoke to our Eye on NFLPick-Six Podcast about the award and other topics.

Fans that visit CoachOfTheYear.com can vote daily for their favorite coach between now and Dec. 22. The four winners will be announced the morning of the BCS championship game.

The finalists are:

Football Bowl Subdivision:Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State UniversityBrady Hoke, University of MichiganMark Hudspeth, University of Louisiana at LafayetteMike London, University of VirginiaLes Miles, Louisiana State UniversityBobby Petrino, University of ArkansasMark Richt, University of GeorgiaNick Saban, University of AlabamaBill Snyder, Kansas State UniversityDabo Swinney, Clemson University

Football Championship Subdivision:Rob Ambrose, Towson University (Md.)Rob Ash, Montana State UniversityTom Gilmore, College of the Holy Cross (Mass.)Jerry Moore, Appalachian State UniversityChris Mussman, University of North Dakota

Division II:Tim Beck, Pittsburg State University (Kan.)Bill Maskill, Midwestern State University (Texas)Peter Rossomando, University of New Haven (Conn.)Scott Underwood, St. Cloud State University (Minn.)John Wristen, Colorado State University-Pueblo

Division III:Glenn Caruso, University of St. Thomas (Minn.)Keith Emery, Western New England UniversitySteve Johnson, Bethel University (Minn.)Lance Leipold, University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterStan Zweifel, University of Dubuque (Iowa)

Each winner will receive a $50,000 donation from Liberty Mutual to the charity or charities of his choice, as well as a $20,000 scholarship grant in their name to their school's alumni association. So, seriously, college football fans: don't forget to vote.

According to the Arizona Republic,Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin has been offered Sun Devils' head coaching job. Sumlin is a top candidate for most of the open BCS coaching jobs, but he has not commented on any of the speculation during the Cougars' current 12-0 run. The Pac-12 is in the midst of a shift in the coaching landscape, with Mike Leach and Rich Rodriguez already announced as new arrivals at Washington State and Arizona, respectively.

The report does not indicate whether the offer is official, and Sumlin is likely busy preparing the Cougars for the Conference USA Championship Game on Wednesday. But if anything the report serves as an indication of where one of the hottest coaching names left on the market could be going. Sumlin's name has also been linked to UCLA, Illinois, North Carolina, and Texas A&M (should Mike Sherman be removed from his burning-hot seat).

Houston will play Southern Mississippi for the Conference USA Championship in front of a Cougar-friendly crowd in Houston. Golden Eagles head coach Larry Fedora is also one of the names circulating as a candidate for open jobs across the nation. The challenge for both staffs is to keep the focus of their team on the game, and away from the noise of coaching rumors off the field.

Offensive Player of the Year: David Wilson, Virginia Tech. One of the most important aspects of Virginia Tech's success has been their ability to lean on the ACC's leading rusher for production while new starting quarterback Logan Thomas becomes accustomed to the offense. Wilson carried the load early, averaging 129.0 yards per game in his first four outings. Thomas has shown his rapid development in back-to-back wins against Miami and Wake Forest, and now Virginia Tech is more dangerous offensively than they've been all season. Wilson not only has shown the capability to carry a 20+ attempt load, but has rushed for 120+ yard in six of Virginia Tech's seven games. Also considered: Tajh Boyd, Clemson; Lamar Miller, Miami; Tanner Price, Wake Forest

Defensive Player of the Year: Sean Spence, Miami. Few defensive players have meant more to their unit than Spence has in Coral Gables. After serving his one game suspension in the opener, the senior linebacker has reinserted himself as the playmaker of the Hurricanes defensive unit. In many cases this season, Miami's defense has been shaky - missing assignments and finding themselves out of position. On more occasions than I can count, Spence comes flying across the field to save the play with a big tackle. His game-saving sack of North Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner to ice a must-win road game in Chapel Hill on Saturday was a perfect example of Spence delivering when the Canes need him most. Also considered: Luke Kuechly, Boston College. Jeremiah Attaouchu, Georgia Tech. Andre Branch, Clemson.

Coach of the Year: Dabo Swinney, Clemson. After last season's disappointing 6-7 finish, Swinney made some swift changes on the coaching staff and hit the recruiting trail hard. With 42 of his 85 scholarship players either true or redshirt freshman, the ability to bring that youth into the program and develop them quickly would be essential to the Tigers' success. Clemson's uber-talented lineup, led by sophomore Tajh Boyd and true freshman Sammy Watkins, has played with the enthusiasm and energy of their coach. Swinney's personality is all over this team, and this team is undefeated and sitting in the top 10. Pretty good job for a coach who once held the "interim" tag. Also considered: Jim Grobe, Wake Forest

Surprise: Wake Forest. After a disastrous 2010 season, with no notable additions to the roster, the media selected the Demon Deacons to finish at the bottom of the ACC Atlantic Division in the preseason poll. However, what wasn't considered is that Jim Grobe's best teams tend to show up when there is continuity from one season to the next. Grobe and his staff have a roster made of mostly of high-IQ recruits from Florida and Texas that were passed over by some of the powers that dominate those areas. Wake Forest still has several ACC challenges ahead, but the 3-1 conference start and victory over Florida State is plenty to hang your hat on at this point in Winston-Salem. Also considered: Clemson

Disappointment: Florida State. Coming into the season, the buzz was back in Tallahassee. Florida State had a strong finish to Jimbo Fisher's first season at the helm, and returned 17 starters from the squad that knocked off South Carolina in the Chick Fil-A Bowl. They gave Oklahoma everything they had in a memorable top-five bout in Tallahassee, but after that 24-13 loss things began to unravel for the Seminoles. Much of the frustrations can be blamed on a long list of injuries, but three straight losses is incredibly disappointing considering the expectations coming into the season. Also considered: Boston College

Game of the Year So Far: Clemson at Maryland. The game of the year might have been this past weekend with Clemson's 18-point comeback victory over Maryland in College Park. From the Terps' freshman quarterback CJ Brown lighting up the Tigers defense for 162 yards rushing to Sammy Watkins' 89-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter, there was no shortage of fireworks in the 56-45 Clemson win. Offensive coordinator Chad Morris (former Tulsa OC) reportedly told Swinney after the game the 28 combined fourth quarter points was "just like another night in Conference USA." Also considered: Miami at Maryland; Georgia Tech at Virginia; Oklahoma at Florida State.

Game of the Year (To Come) - Clemson at Georgia Tech, Oct. 29. With Virginia Tech turning the corner and Georgia Tech picking up their first division loss against Virginia, this game will be a must-win for the Yellow Jackets. In addition to being a rematch of the 2009 ACC title game, both teams are hoping this will be a preview of the 2011 title game in Charlotte. Georgia Tech has the offense that can keep Clemson's explosive weapons off the field, but the rushing attack has been sputtering in their last two outings. The kickoff has already been set for 8 p.m., and Bobby Dodd Stadium should be packed for a inter-division showdown under the lights.

Atlantic Division Champion: Clemson. Six conference wins normally can put you in a good spot to lock up the division, and a home victory over North Carolina will bring the Tigers to 5-0 with Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and N.C. State left on the schedule. Even with an upset against the Yellow Jackets the Tigers should lock this up in the coming weeks.

Coastal Division Champion: Virginia Tech. The beginning of the season showed a Hokies team struggling to impress while Georgia Tech was setting all kinds of offensive records. At the midpoint, Virginia Tech is playing their best football while the Yellow Jackets are looking to get back on track on both sides of the ball. Typical early loss, strong finish season for Frank Beamer will result in another ACC title game appearance.

ACC Champion: Clemson. After that memorable comeback win against Maryland, you have to feel like the Tigers have that never-say-die attitude needed to claim the conference crown. After falling short in 2009, Clemson claims their first ACC title since 1991.

Keep up with the latest college football news from around the country. From the regular season all the way through the bowl games, CBSSports.com has you covered with this daily newsletter. | Preview

The real hardware Gene Chizik will be looking to hold won't be awarded until later tonight, but the Auburn head coach was already honored once Monday with the announcement of the 2010 Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year award winners.

Chizik joined K.C. Keeler, University of Delaware, Bob Nielson, University of Minnesota Duluth, and Glen Caruso, University of St. Thomas, as recipients of the annual award given for excellence in coaching on and off the field.

Since the award's beginnings, much of the focus has been placed on the various civic and charitable responsibilities of a head coach in today's college football. Not only is "Community Commitment" one of the categories on which nominees are graded, but also the award comes with a $50,000 donation to the winner's cause of choice, as well as $20,000 in scholarship money for the university.

The award was presented at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, in nearby Phoenix, Hall of Fame quarterback Archie Manning was on hand to represent the College Football Hall of Fame and assist in the award presentation. The field is initially narrowed by a running fan vote that lasted through the regular season. More than 1,000,0000 fans participated to narrow the field to a group of finalists. The finalists were then chosen by a vote that was made up of 20% fan votes, 25% national football media members, and 55% by members of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Chizik, naturally, was not able to be at the award ceremony and pre-taped his acceptance. He was with the Tigers as they are going through gameday preparations for tonight's BCS National Championship Game against Oregon at 8:30 PM in the University of Phoenix Stadium.

Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer has taken pride in building a successful program both on and off the field. His accomplishments in 2010 may have been overshadowed by Maryland's Ralph Friedgen in the eyes of the conference [ENTER SOLAR ECLIPSE JOKE HERE], but Beamer is receiving his recognition on the national level.

“This award is extremely special, No. 1 because of the coach’s name on it, a guy that I have deeply admired for many years and appreciate very much his impact on college football,” Beamer said in a release from the school. “And secondly, because of what it stands for. Academics and involvement in the community are things that I have strived hard to provide, along with a winning football program. I am very appreciative that other people recognize that.”

Beamer's on-field accomplishments have been well-documented. He is the only FBS coach to win 10 games in each of the last seven seasons. Since joining the ACC in 2004, Virginia Tech has won the conference championship four times, including running the table in 2010. After starting the season with two losses in five days, Beamer helped orchestrate one of the most impressive winning streaks in recent ACC history. After tearing through 11 wins and an ACC Championship, the Hokies now prepare to face Stanford in the Orange Bowl on January 3.

A week ago we let you know about the ongoing fan voting for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award. This season, fans are getting to make their voice heard and help narrow down the candidates for the award, given annually to one coach from each NCAA division. Fans have had the opportunity to vote (only once per day) for the coach of their choice at http://www.coachoftheyear.com. Fans will be allowed to continue to vote until December 4, at which time the top fifteen coaches on the leaderboard will advance to the next round of consideration.

The presentation of the award, given last year to TCU'sGary Patterson for Division I, will be on January 10. We have just learned that the award announcement will be able to be streamed RIGHT HERE LIVE on CBSSports.com. So if you needed any more motivation to get out and vote for your Coach of the Year choice, there you go. You could see him accept the trophy live, and know that you had a part in getting him up on that podium.

The end of the season tends to be a time where we focus too much on hot-seats and the coaching rumor mill. Instead of looking ahead at potential vacancies and candidates, it is refreshing to take a look back at the better coaching jobs from the 2010 season. This year, you (the college football fans) get to start that process by participating in the selection of the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year.

Currently the leader is Auburn's Gene Chizik, by a healthy margin. It is interesting that two of the top three vote-getters (Chizik and Mississippi State's Dan Mullen) are currently center-pieces in one of the potentially biggest scandals in the college football season. But Mark Dantonio? Oh he just has phenomenal clutch guts and a new mechanical heart that also lets him shoot lasers out of his eyes. (Okay exaggeration, but you see where this author's vote was cast) Where does your coach rank on the leaderboard? Log on and let your voice be heard in the selection of the 2010 Coach of the Year.